Continuously operating washing and rinsing machines



y 31, 1956 T. VON BOEHMER ET AL 2,756,581

CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING WASHING AND RINSING MACHINE-S Filed March 29, 195] 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS 'VmB BY Sdwmmm July 31, 1956 T. VON BOEHMER ET AL 2,756,581

CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING WASHING AND RINSING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1951 y 31, 1956 T. VON BOEHMER ET AL 2,756,581

CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING WASHING AND RINSING MACHINES Filed March 29, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS: 16mm Emmy F/6.4 BY ow/ZS mm @m acPMm CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING WASHING AND RINSING MACHINES Thilo von Boehmer, Dusseldorf-Lohausen, and Karl Schwamm, Dusseldorf, Germany, assignors to Gebr. Poensgen G. 111. b. H., Dusseldorf-Rath, Germany Application March 29, 1951, Serial No. 218,112

Claims priority, application Germany April 3', 1950 10 Claims. (Cl. 68-27) The present invention relates to a continuously operating washing machine.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a washing machine in which the articles to be Washed are subjected simultaneously in diiferent washing units or containers provided in the machine to various actions such as soaking, Washing, bleaching, and rinsing, as customarily used in commercial laundry operations, and whereby the articles to be Washed remain in the respective containers while they are subjected to a succession of such washing steps.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a washing machine in which the various steps are performed in an automatic manner.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which can be operated by semi-skilled operators. 7

With the above objects in mind, the present invention mainly consists in a washing apparatus comprising at least three stations located along a predetermined circular path, a plurality of independent washing units arranged one behind the other, means guiding the washing units for movement along this path successively to the stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at these stations. Means are also provided for automatically supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at one of the stations and means are provided for automatically discharging liquid supplied by these liquid supply means from each washing unit when it is located at another of these stations. The units are emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the last of the stations. Means are further operatively connected to the units for directing the liquid passing therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement in which the units themselves move.

The containers are preferably placed on a platform by which they are moved stepby step so as to be brought successively to the working stations in a timed sequence. Preferably, the water supplied to the washing units or containers is used for Washing and rinsing, although, if desired, the containers may be arranged in groups and washing water may be supplied first to one of the groups and then separate rinsing water may be supplied thereto.

The operations, such as, for example, loading and unloading, soaking, prewashing, final washing, hot rinsing, warm rinsing, cold rinsing, bleaching, acidification, and, if required, partial drying, takes place in one and the same container and for this purpose the washing containers are brought successively to the various stations of the machine.

This makes it possible to arrange the soap material, the bleach material and any other materials which are to be supplied to the containers during the washing operation always at the same station, whereby a continuous operation is greatly simplified and the operation of the various valves can also be carried out substantiallyautomatically. Conveyor devices, for example, conveyor belts for supplying the articles or laundry to be washed or for removing the cleanlaundry can be provided at fixed loading and United States Patent 2,756,581 Patented July 31, 1956 unloading stations. This results in a great saving of labor and semi-skilled operators can be used, since the operators are no longer required to control the valves connected to the various containers.

The water is, as stated above, passed in counterflow through the various containers, and during the first stage acts as rinsing water which is gradually heated and then passes through the washing and soaking stages while it is gradually cooled so that a greatsaving of water, heat, and washing agents results. In many cases it is undesirable to have chemicals, such as bleaching agents or the like, pass through the preceding rinsing containers. In the installation according to the present invention it is possible to eliminate one or more of the rinsing containers from the continuous rinsing or washing process in an automatically regulated manner without complicating the operation of the machine. This may be especially convenient if specific temperatures have to be maintained for the use of the oxygen bleach or if chlorine bleach is used as a final bleach between the rinsing baths. If it is desirable to treat the articles to be washed for a longer time in certain containers than in the other containers, a plurality of containers may be connected in series or parallel to each other in a simple manner.

The washing units of the machine of the present invention, may be disposed on the periphery of a platform or belt device similar to a rotary disc, and for example, eight cup-shaped washing and rinsing containers which are suitably shaped to receive the articles to be washed may be provided. The containers are connected together by overflow pipes so that the washing and rinsing liquids can flow from one container to the next. The washing containers are further in communication with annular pipes through which the rinsing water, washing water, and a heating medium such as steam are supplied and control valves are provided to control the flow of water and steam. The Washing medium for final washing can be added direct to the respective container or be supplied thereto through a special annular pipe.

For the mechanical handling of the articles to be washed suitable washing devices such as agitators in the form of plungers and propellers or the like may be disposed above the washing containers. It is also possible to provide at one or more of the stations suitable devices for partial drying of the washed articles by spinning or wringing.

The above-mentioned cup-shaped containers may also be replaced by drums loaded at the front end, as used in known washing machines. Such an arrangement simplifies greatly the layout of the pipe connections and the structural design of the machine.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the inventor are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantage thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accom panying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic, vertical cross sectional view of the containers and related parts and for the purpose of illustration the containers are shown developed in a straight line instead of in a circle as shown in Fig. 1 and in which the actual position of the containers in the machine is illustrated;

the section being taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the modification shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the same, it will be seen that the Washing machine .of the present invention comprises a plurality of containers l-8 which are rigidly connected to the rotary frame 9 schematically shown in Fig. 2 and more clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 illustrating another embodiment, but having the same frame 9. The containers or washing units communicate with each other through overflow pipes it) as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Three-way cocks 11-13 are provided in these overflow pipes. All the washing containers are connected through pipes and valves 19-26 to the annular pipe 2'7. The washing containers are also connected through pipes in which the valves 23-35 are located to the annular pipe 36. Furthermore, the containers are also respectively connected through pipes in which steam valves 37-44 are located to the annular steam pipe 45. The annular pipes 27, 36 and 45 are fed respectively from the swivel joint 46 by means of connecting pipes 47, 48 and 49. An annular frame Si is located above the washing containers 1-8 and washing devices 51 and a centrifugal motor 52 are mounted on the frame 5%. Means for supplying a washing agent to a container are provided at one of the stations, and in the position of the containers as shown in Fig. 1 this means, schematically illustrated by a pipe controlled by valve 53, is located above the container 4.

A modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this embodiment a rotary head valve is used instead of the swivel joint 46 shown in Figs. 1-3. The rotary head valve shown in Figs. 4 and 5 consists essentially of a fixed ring 58 with the channels 54, 55, 56 and 57 and the rotary ring 59 with the pipes -85! which lead respectively to the containers 1-8. The containers 1-8 shown in this modified embodiment are connected to each other in the same way as the containers shown in Figs. 1-3 by over flow pipes 10 in which three-way cocks 11-13 are respectively located and the containers are fixedly mounted on a rotatable frame 9. This modification is also provided with washing devices 51 and a centrifugal motor 52 carried by a frame 56 but these elements are not shown in the Figs. 4 and 5.

The operation of the washing machine illustrated in the Pigs. l-3 is as follows:

The frame 9 which carries the washing containers 1-8 is turned in timed sequence at equal intervals so that the containers move from one working station to the next. While the washing container 1 is located in front of the loading station and is being unloaded, or loaded, the laundry to be Washed contained in the container 2 is subjected to a soaking process at a temperature of about 40 C. The articles contained in the container 3 are pre-washed at a temperature of about 60 C. and the articles in container 4 are finished washed at about 80 C. In the container 5 the articles are pre-rinsed at about 60 0, they are further rinsed in the container 6 at about 40 C. and finally in the container 7 they are rinsed clear with cold water. At the same time the articles in the container 8 are predried by spinning or wringing. Cold water is supplied to the container 7 from the annular pipe 27 through the valve 24. The water flows then through the overflow pipe it? and the three-way cock 16 into the container 6 and continuously displaces the washing water from the container 6 into the container 5 and then through the overflow pipe 10 and the three-way cook 14 into the next container and so on to the container 2 and from where it is discharged through the cock 12. The washing water is gradually heated by the steam supplied to the container from pipe 45 until it reaches its highest temperature in the container 4 and then it 4 is gradually cooled so that it has in the container 2 only a temperature of about 40 C.

When it is desired to supply rinsing water and washing water separately, the containers are divided into groups, and the rinsing water is supplied to the container 7 through the annular pipe 56 by way of the valve 34 and the rinsing water flows then through the overflow pipe 10 into the container 6 and afterwards in the container 5. In the container 6 the rinsing water is heated from 20 C. to 40 C. and in the container from 40 C. to 60 C. by supplying steam to these containers from the annular pipe 45. From the container 5 the'dirty water is discharged through the overflow pipe 10 and the three-way cock 14. The level of water in the various containers is determined by the height of the various overflow pipes. The Washing and rinsing water may flow of]? continuously or intermittently. After completion of one cycle of the washing process the rotary frame 9 on which the washing containers ii-8 are mounted is turned so that the containers respectively move from one operating station to the next. Thereby, the container 8 will be located at the station previously held by the container 1. The washed and pre-dried articles are now removed from this container and the same is re-loaded with soiled articles. At the same time, the articles to be washed in the containers 1-7 are subjected to the above-described washing, rinsing and drying process. The time intervals between the stages of the operations can be changed to the desired time necessary for properly washing the articles.

The method of operation of the modified apparatus illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, is as follows:

In the position of the containers as shown in Fig. 5 rinsing water flows through the channel 45 and the pipe 7:: in the direction of arrow 60 (Fig. 5) into the container '7 and from there through the overflow pipes 10 in the direction of the arrows 6i and 62 successively into the containers 6 and 5, from which it passes through the pipe 5a in the direction of the arrow 63 to the channel 55 of the fixed ring 58 of the rotary valve head. At the same time the washing water flows through the channel 56 and the pipe 4a in the direction of the arrow 64 into the container 4, from where is passes through overflow pipes 10 in the direction of arrows 65, 66 and 67 successively into the containers 3, 2, and 1 and then through the pipe in in the direction of arrow 68 to the channel 57.

On completion of one operation the containers 1-8 together with frame 9, the pipes Zia-8a, and the ring 59 are moved /8 of a full revolution in the direction of arrow 69 (Fig. 5) so that the channel connection 54 now communicates through pipe 6a with container 6, the channel 65 through pipe 4a with container 4, the channel 56 through pipe 3:: with container 3, and the channel 57 through pipe 8a with container 8.

Thus, with the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 two phases of a cycle take place while the several containers remain stationary at the several stations. The rinsing phase takes place with rinsing water flowing, when the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 5 along pipe 7a to container 7 and from the latter along the overfiow pipes it) to the containers 6 and 5 from which the rinsing water discharges through the pipe 5a. The washing phase takes place with the wash water flowing, when the parts in the position shown in Fig. 5, along pipe 4a to the container 4 and from the latter along the several overflow pipes successively to the containers 3, 2 and l to be discharged through the pipe 1a. The washed articles may be removed from the several containers when they arrive at the position of container 8 of Fig. 5 and articles to be washed are placed in the several containers when they arrive at the position of container 1 of Fig. 5.

It will be noted that while the containers are intermittently rotated together with the frame 9 in the direction of arrow 69, the water overflowing from one container to another along the several pipes 10 move in an opposite, counterclockwise direction, as is viewed in Fig. 5, and as clearly shown by the arrows 61, 62, 65, 66, and 67. In this Way the cleanest rinse water, which is introduced into the container 7, when the apparatus is in the position as shown in Fig. 5, first comes into contact with the cleanest clothes or other articles being washed and then fiows along the overflow pipes to successive clothes or other articles which are rinsed to a gradually diminishing degree. In the same way, the wash water, which first enters the container 4 when the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 5, first comes into contact with the cleanest articles being washed, before they are rinsed, and successively comes in contact with articles which are washed to a gradually diminishing degree as the wash water flows along the overflow pipes to the containers 3, 2 and 1.

It will be understood that the principle above-described can also be used for washing machines in which the containers 1-8 remain stationary instead of being moved through a rotary path as described above. In such an arrangement, the operator must go around to each container and control, in turn, the supply of cold water, detergents, and steam in a correct and spaced sequence and cut off the container which is to be unloaded and loaded at the proper time from the water and steam supply.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may alsofind a useful application in other types of washing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a washing machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without de parting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Washing, apparatus comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predeterminedcircular path; a plurality of independent washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three 'stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; means for automatically supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at a predetermined one of said stations; means for automatically discharging liquid supplied by said liquid supply means from each washing unit when it is located at another of said stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; and means operatively connected to said units for directing liquid therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said circular path.

2. Washing apparatus comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; a plurality of independent washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; means for supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at a predetermined one of said stations; means for discharging liquid supplied by said liquid supply means from each washing unit when it is located at another of said stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to bewashed at the third of said three stations; and means operatively connected to said units for directing liquid therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said closed path.

3. Washing apparatus comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined circular path; a plurality of independent washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; means for automatically supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at a predetermined one of said stations; means for automatically discharging liquid supplied by said liquid supply means from each washing unit when it is located at another of said stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; a frame common to and supporting said washing units, said frame being located about the center of said circular path for movement with said washing units about an axis passing through said center of said circular path; and means operatively connected to said units for directing liquid therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said circular path.

4-. Washing apparatus comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; at least three independent washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; means for automatically supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at a predetermined one of said stations; means for automatically discharging liquid supplied by said liquid supply means from each washing unit when it is located at another of said stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; and means operatively connected to said units for directing liquid therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said closed path.

5. Washing apparatus comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; at least three washing units equidistantly spaced from each other and being arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for intermittent simultaneous movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes successively located at said three stations; automatic liquid supply means located at one of said stations for supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at said one station; liquid discharge means located at another of said stations for discharging liquid supplied at said one station from each washing unit when it is located at said other of said three stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; and means operatively connected'to said units for directing liquid therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said closed path.

6." Washing'apparatus' comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; a plurality of independent washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; means for supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at a predetermined one of said stations; means for discharging liquid supplied by said liquid supply means from each washing unit when it is located at another of said stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said 7 three stations; and a plurality of liquid conduit means re spectively interconnecting each pair of adjacent washing units for directing liquid through said washing units in a direction opposite to the direction in which said units move along said path.

7. W'ashing apparatus comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; a plurality of independent washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; automatic liquid supply means located at one of said stations for supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at said one station; automatic liquid discharge means located at another of said stations for discharging liquid supplied at said one station from each washing unit when it is located at said other of said three stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; and means operatively connected to said units for directing liquid therethrough in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said closed path,

8. Washing apparatus as defined in claim 7 and wherein said path is circular and wherein said automatic liquid supply means and said automatic liquid discharge means include an inner stationary valve member located at the center of said circular path and having an outer cylindrical side surface, said inner valve member being formed at one part thereof with a liquid inlet communicating with said outer cylindrical side surface and forming part of said liquid supply means and at another part thereof with a liquid outlet communicating with said outer cylindrical side surface and forming part of said liquid discharge means, a ring located about and slidably engaging said outer cylindrical side surface of said inner valve member and being formed with a plurality of openings equal in number to the number of said washing units and adapted to successively register with said inlet and outlet of said inner valve member, and a plurality of tubes respectively communicating with said washing units and said openings of said ring so that said washing units successively communicate with said inlet and outlet openings of said inner valve member when said washing units are successively located at said stations.

9. Washing apparatus, comprising, in combination at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; at least three washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; liquid supply means located at one of said stations for supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at said one station; liquid discharge means located at another of said stations for discharging liquid supplied at said one station from each washing unit when it is located at said other of said three stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; and a plurality of ducts respectively communicating with each pair of successive washing units, said ducts each extending from the bottom of that one of said pair of washing units which trails in the direction of movement along said path upwardly to the trailing side of the other of said pair of units and beneath the top thereof, whereby liquid supplied to one of said washing units at said one station automatically flows in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said path to the washing unit located behind said one unit with respect to the direction of movement of said units along said path, said one station being located with respect to the direction of movement of said units after said other station and before said third stationv l0. Washing apparatus, comprising, in combination, at least three stations located along a predetermined closed path; at least three washing units arranged one behind the other; means guiding said units for movement along said path successively to said three stations so that each washing unit becomes located successively at said three stations; liquid supply means located at one of said stations for supplying liquid to each washing unit when it is located at said one station; liquid discharge means located at another of said stations for discharging liquid supplied at said one station from each washing unit when it is located at said other of said three stations, said units being adapted to be emptied of washed articles and provided with articles to be washed at the third of said three stations; a plurality of ducts respectively communicating with each pair of successive washing units, said ducts each extending from the bottom of that one of said pair of washing units which trails in the direction of movement along said path upwardly to the trailing side of the other of said pair of units and beneath the top thereof, whereby liquid supplied to one of said washing units at said one station automatically flows in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said units along said path to the washing unit located behind said one unit with respect to the direction of movement of said units along said path, said one station being located with respect to the direction of movement of said units after said other station and before said third station; and a plurality of discharge valves respectively located in said ducts beneath said washing units so that any one of said washing units may have liquid therein discharged at will upon opening of the discharge valve associated therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 453,975 De Pawlowski June 9, 1891 608,194 Greenwood Aug. 2, 1898 1,434,595 Davis Nov. 7, 1922 1,894,694 Knutsen Jan. 17, 1933 2,094,749 Rabassa Oct. 5, 1937 2,146,262 Johnson Feb. 7, 1939 2,700,287 Sulzmann Jan. 25, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 47,567 Germany June 24, 1889 346,936 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1931 OTHER REFERENCES Washer berichten uber Gegenstrom, Aug. 8, 1950, 4 pages.

Cleaning & Laundering World, July '1952, 3 pages. 

